Dbc 1 - Mot 0

teeni

Floss has answered the query about the shortsightedness of the council but mentioned contacting Social Services HOWEVER this isn't an option as according to my solicitor SS only have a duty to house the children and they are NOT leaving my side!!![/quote]


Have they definately confirmed social services would not accommodate all of you. In this area social services pay for b and b for the family in these situations (s17 of the childrens act) the right to a family life. may be worth you discussing with your solicitor what is the norm in your area.

teeni x x

mumoftwins

bringmeshoes wrote: »

MOT, i know that you are beating yourself up right now but please stop, i know what a bad mum is and you are not it
if there is any small way that i can be of help then pm me and i will try and do what i can.
how are the twins bearing up?

They are amazing! Concerned as to where we will go, but know that we are all actively trying to find us somewhere. They were more excited last night by the fact that Ampersand was waiting to see them when we got home:D

bringmeshoes

see, it just goes to show how well you have brought them up. how can you be a bad mum and bring up 2 brilliant well rounded, mature kids like adam and felicity?
they are a credit to you (as i'm sure you know!)

mumoftwins

vandanfc wrote: »

Julia

Please listen very carefully I will say this (well shout it) only once - YOU ARE NOT AND COULD NEVER BE A BAD MUM. You have always put your children first and I am sure you always will. Don't be so hard on yourself. The system has failed and let your children and you down, you haven't let anyone down.

Now practically I am of no use to you as I am a few hundred miles away, but support wise I am yet another pair of shoulders you can spread your worries onto.

Practical issues:

Can you move out on Sunday ? We have one weeks grace!

How much stuff do you have to take with you ? Our friend T has lebt us 2 beds which would need dismantling and returning to him (he may be able to help, has said he can but depends on his prior comintments), possibly about 5/6 packing boxes of stuff, several holdalls, about 4 black bin bags, computer etc, 2 side tables, a large armchair, computer chair, floor lamp, 2 bedside tables and thats about it I think???

Can you go into a B & B or hotel for a couple of nights at least ? (Don't worry about the cost I am sure it will be taken care of.) Its a possibility

Can you afford to rent privately ? Assuming that a) there is something available and b) the deposit/bond etc is taken care of ? Well at the moment my rent is £75 per week (HB pay the other £66.71) and if I can find somewhere unfurnshed I wouldn't have storage costs (see below)

How much is your storage costing ? Is there an alternative firm that you can use ? Per month it works out at about £235 and am finding it really hard to to find it for less, but would be delighted if I could!

Is there any scope for money from the Credit Union ? This is something I haven't investigated but will do on Monday - not sure if they lend money straight away??


That's all I can think of at the mo.

I will be thinking about you at the weekend, I am away from tomorrow am until Monday pm, but will catch up then.

Please keep strong and don't let them have another victory by falling apart now. - You can and will get through this with the support of all your friends here.

Best wishes

Vanda

****************

pippo

Hi Mot, I work for a social services dept and in my humble professional opinion you sound like a very GOOD mother to me.
As teeni says most councils have no wish to house children seperately to their families - the costs of care are massively greater than B&B or alternative accommodation!
Try to keep positive - like so many people I'm so ready to help in anyway I can. Just waiting to find out how.
Love & good wishes,
Pip

Squiggly_Diddly

Just another thing - under Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights, all individuals (children & adults) have the right to a family life....

Taken a quote from a webpage www.yourrights.org.uk re this:

The Duty of Public Authorities

The requirement on public authorities to act compatibly with Article 8 of the Convention is contained in Section 6 of the HRA. Section 6 provides that central government, local government and other public bodies such as the police and the courts must all act compatibly with your rights.

There's info on that site about how to take a case to the Court of Human Rights, etc - it seems to be in reasonably plain English....

mumoftwins

vandanfc wrote: »

Travel lodge at Hemel Hempstead (family room) is available for 3 nights from Sunday 20th at cost of £60 per night.

Oh bum, thought they might do the £15.00 a night deals

mumoftwins

backtomum wrote: »

Dear God I wish I could help you. I think you are the most amazing person. Your children must be so proud of you. What kind of a country are we living in for things to come to this? Have you tried your local MP? This situation is horrendous. I have twins of 10 and have experienced hard times and the fear that you must be feeling is one I can relate to.

In a couple of years you will look back on this time and wonder how you came though it - which I am sure you will.

Good luck - you are a very special person.

Yes, I had a meeting with Mike Penning the MP on 30th November 2007 who declared that WE ARE WAR with DBC now and YOU WILL BE HOUSED, IT MIGHT NOT BE IN A VERY GOOD AREA BUT YOU WILL BE HOUSED I WILL MAKE SURE OF IT! TAKE WHAT THE COUNCIL OFFER THEN WE WILL GET YOU MOVED AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS TO AN AREA MORE SUITABLE!

theunknownstuntman

MOT you are so not a bad mum, I wish my mum had given me as much love as you give your twins. That, you CANNOT buy.
I'm a wee bit away, but can get a car and come down and help if required, and I'm a big tall strong fella. You only need to call, and I'll be there if you need me.

mumoftwins

theunknownstuntman wrote: »

MOT you are so not a bad mum, I wish my mum had given me as much love as you give your twins. That, you CANNOT buy.
I'm a wee bit away, but can get a car and come down and help if required, and I'm a big tall strong fella. You only need to call, and I'll be there if you need me.

Oh Stuntman what a wonderful offer- thank you!!! Then I read where you live:eek: